Applies ToPowerPoint 2021

PowerPoint 2021 for Windows lets you create compelling content with the addition of features including co-authoring, Ink Replay, improved slide show recording, new stock media from the Office Premium Creative Content collection and new Draw tab additions such as Point Eraser, Ruler, and Lasso.

If you're upgrading to PowerPoint 2021 for Windows from PowerPoint 2019 for Windows, you'll still have all the features you're used to—and you'll notice a few new ones as well!

Some features listed below are not included in PowerPoint LTSC 2021 for commercial customers. Each of those features is noted if it does not apply to PowerPoint LTSC 2021 for commercial customers.

Co-authoring

You and your colleagues can open and work on the same PowerPoint presentation. This is called co-authoring. When you co-author, you can see each other's changes quickly — in a matter of seconds.

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Note: Co-authoring is not available in PowerPoint LTSC 2021.

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Better collaboration with modern comments

Have control of when you send comments to your co-authors and be productive with a consistent commenting experience in your presentations and other Office apps.

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Note: Modern comments is not available in PowerPoint LTSC 2021.

Working with a comment

Know who's in your presentation

See who else is working along with you and where they are in the presentation document.

Note: This feature is not available in PowerPoint LTSC 2021.

Shows co-author in Word

Visual refresh

Work with a modernized Start experience and newly refreshed tabs in the ribbon. Experience a clean, clear style with monoline iconography, neutral color palette, and softer window corners. These updates communicate action and provide features with simple visuals.

Note: Visual refresh is not available in PowerPoint LTSC 2021.

Word, Excel, and PowerPoint displayed with visual updates in ribbon and rounded corners to match Windows 11 user interface.

New and improved Record Slide Show

Record Slide Show now supports presenter video recording, ink recording, and laser pointer recording.

Use the Record, Pause, and Resume buttons to control narration and navigation recording.

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See what’s new in stock media

We’re constantly adding more rich media content to the Office Premium Creative Content collection that helps you express yourself, such as a curated library of stock images, icons, and more.

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Replay your ink strokes

Now you can apply the new Replay or Rewind animation to ink and get the drawing effect directly in your presentations. You can adjust the timing of these animations to be faster or slower to match the experience you want.

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PowerPoint slide with handwritten text and options for ink replay being clicked

Find what you need with Microsoft Search

At the top of your Microsoft Office apps on Windows, you'll find the new Microsoft Search box. This powerful tool helps you quickly find what you're looking for, such as text, commands, help, and more.

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Save your changes as they happen

Upload your files to OneDrive, OneDrive for Business, or SharePoint Online to make sure all your updates are saved automatically.

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Note: AutoSave is not available in PowerPoint LTSC 2021

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Arrange elements on your slides for screen readers

See the elements in screen-reading order. You can rearrange them as necessary to communicate your message effectively.

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List of items in reading order on a slide with up- and down-arrow buttons to rearrange them

Link to a slide

Ask a colleague to contribute to your slide deck, and start them directly on the slide you need help with.

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Note: Link to a slide is not available in PowerPoint LTSC 2021.

Shows Link to this Slide right-click menu

Increase the reach of your content

Accessibility Checker keeps an eye on your documents and tells you in the status bar when it finds something you should look at. Try it by clicking Review > Check Accessibility.

Status bar showing that the Accessibility Checker is running

Support for OpenDocument format (ODF) 1.3

We now include support for the OpenDocument format (ODF) 1.3. The ODF 1.3 specification adds support for many new features.

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List of file formats from Word with ODT file format highlighted

Updated Draw tab

Quickly access and change the color of all your inking tools, all in one place.

Simplify how you work with ink using new Draw tab additions: Point Eraser, Ruler, and Lasso.

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Microsoft 365 Drawing Tools pens

Pick the perfect color

Based on your feedback, we’ve added a new input field in the Colors dialog for Hex color values. No need to convert Hex color values into RGB values.

For any property where you can define a color, you can now enter a Hex color value in the Hex box, for example, #0F4C81 or 444.

Shows Custom colors

Try the Sketched style outline

You can give a casual, hand-drawn look to shapes in your workbook with the Sketched style outline.

Try out the Curved, Freehand, or Scribble options under Format Shape > Line > Sketched style.

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Line format options in Mac with Sketched style selected

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